EPISODE 9 | Retention & Succession (Part 2) - A Voice at the Table: Hiring, Professional Advancement & Promotion w/i the Music Entertainment Industry
#BDRB EP:9 - Retention & Succession (Part 2) - Professional Advancement & Promotion
SPEAKERS
CAREY RILEY @Akariley1
ZOË BADLEY @badgalbadley
KESI SMYTH@KesiS
KEZIAH MYERS @keziahmyers
VANESSA ADORA @vanessaadora___
Hosted by:
IAN ANDRE ESPINET | @ianandreespinet
DAVID “CLICK” COX | @davidclickcox
CAREY RILEY
[She/Her]
Senior Marketing Manager - Sony Music Canada
Currently holding the role of Senior Marketing Manager for Sony Music Canada, Carey Riley has recently conceived and facilitated marketing campaigns for such artists as Travis Scott, Khalid, Future, H.E.R., and 21 Savage.
At Universal Music Canada, where she spent 8 years prior to returning to Sony, she oversaw a roster including Justin Bieber, Frank Ocean & Kanye West. With over 20 years of music industry experience, having also previously held the roles of National Street Marketing Representative and Artist Manager, Carey Riley has a wealth of knowledge in artist development, branding and advertising. She is an experienced music marketer with a demonstrated history.
@akariley1
ZOË BADLEY
[She/Her]
Digital Marketing Manager - Universal Music Canada
As Digital Marketing Manager at Universal Music Canada, Zoë Badley has overseen some of the company's most dynamic digital marketing campaigns like TTC's Tracks on Tracks program, for some of the most in-demand triple A artists like Billie Eilish, Jonas Brothers, Sam Smith and more. With over eight years of experience under her belt in the digital marketing world, Zoë is consistently striving to ensure output is detail-orientated by approaching every task with a strong work ethic, a passion to succeed, and the drive to surpass expectations, while maintaining her valued relationships with her brands and artists. To date one of her favourite work tasks is owning the internship program for the Digital Strategy team at UMC, to help educate and foster upcoming talent in the industry. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her corgi, reading, finding the best under rated/ budget friendly red wines, and curating the perfect personal playlists for friends and loved ones
@badgalbadley
VANESSA ADORA
[She/Her]
Sales & Marketing Manager - The Orchard
Vanessa Adora is a Music Streaming Strategist with a passion for supporting diverse, emerging artists from Canada across the globe. Her core experience is marketing Canadian artists of all genres on Amazon Music, Apple Music, Deezer, SoundCloud, Spotify, and YouTube Music. Her expertise is championing Canadian artists locally and internationally and promoting international artists on streaming platforms in Canada.
@vanessaadora___
KESI SMYTH
[She/Her]
General Manager & HR - 604 Label Group
Kesi Smyth brings more than 15 years of experience to Canada’s music industry as General Manager for the 604 Label Group (604 Records, Light Organ Records, and Comedy Here Often?).
Most notably; Kesi was day to day manager for Carly Rae Jepsen during the peak of global hit “Call Me Maybe” organizing performances for the MuchMusic Video Awards, Billboard Music
Awards, American Music Awards, and much more. She has since ascended roles to oversee the label operations at 604 Records and the many clients it serves.
While handling day to day operations for the label group and its staff, Kesi brings extensive knowledge and experience to the role. She is responsible for overseeing effective marketing plans, tour and recording schedules, managing various creative projects, and working closely with third party managers, agents, and creative teams.
@KesiS
KEZIAH MYERS
[She/Her]
Music Licencing and Royalties / SOCAN Equity Task Force
Keziah Myers believes in the skills and uniqueness of this country, and knows that there is so much music and artistic talent yet to be discovered. Currently in a cross-collective role, Keziah works with both SOCAN and Re:Sound. Keziah’s main role is to educate media and non-media organizations about the importance of music licensing, and facilitate the initial process of getting songwriters their royalties. Keziah previously held the position of Operations Lead for the
A&R team at SOCAN where she was instrumental in ensuring that hiring was reflective of the culture and creators. She updated systems, changed processes, and enabled international offices to better serve 150 000 members. Keziah has also held positions in Label Operations Management, Publicity, sat on Entertainment & Music Organization Boards, adjudicated as part of FACTOR and JUNO juries, and has been a guest presenter for Colleges and High schools in Toronto.
As a part of a major music movement in Canada, Keziah has taken opportunities anytime they presented themselves. These opportunities have allowed her to be able to live on 3 continents, and travel to over 30 countries.
@keziahmyers
DAVID “CLICK” COX
CLK Creative Works
David “Click” Cox started his career as a member of the MMVA winning and JUNO nominated group, The Maximum Definitive.
He created a reputation for his promotional and marketing efforts working closely with concert promotions company REMG.
Soon after, he started his career working with BMG Music Canada and then worked at Universal Music Canada as A&R. During his time with Universal, David founded the Stylus Awards to celebrate the Canadian urban music talents and recognition of DJs.
After 8 years with Universal, he created his own entertainment company, CLK Creative Works. Today, CLK is responsible for managing an eclectic roster of highly skilled and experienced artists. Along with management, David teaches music business at Metalworks and The Remix Project.
@davidclickcox
IAN ANDRE ESPINET
[He/Him]
Entrepreneur: Iconic Arts & Entertainment | Black Star Graphic Design | Emancipation Consciouswear
Ian Andre Espinet is a Toronto born, serial entrepreneur and lifelong community advocate. A business professional with over 2 1/2 decades of combined expertise in various areas of business, he is a proficient marketer, graphic designer & creative director, social media specialist, entertainment impresario, public speaker and community servant.
More than the sum of his parts, he is a trusted and respected member of the Canadian entertainment scene.
He is owner, creative director/principle designer at Black Star Graphic Design & Communications, a boutique design & print agency established in 1996. Iconic Arts & Entertainment established in 2001, is one of Canada's most respected "Urban" club & concert promotions companies and has produced 100's of events for 10's of 1000's of patrons.
Amongst his signature brands are Toronto's World Renowned RNB event, The Soul Kitchen (est. 2003), Icon, The One, Carpe Diem, The B-Boy Document and The Legendary Amnesia Old School event (est. 1999), which boasts over 50 old performances and is one of the only EVENTS to sign a major label recording label deal in Canada (Universal Music).
In December 2018, Emancipation Consciouswear, his heritage clothing line established in 1993 was reinstated after a 15 year hiatus.
He frequently volunteers, and speaks to children/youth on entrepreneurship; has served on the board of CHRY/VIBE 105.5fm (4 years); Caras' JUNO hip hop jury; and FACTOR's Juror for Hip Hop & R&B for the last 5 sessions. He is recipient of the Government of Canada's "150 Neighbours" CityBuilder Award (for service in Scarborough) and a City of Toronto Volunteer & Community Service Award.
@ianandreespinet